Patricia Standaert Ravenhorst, Of Counsel
Immigration
Tricia leads the law firm in developing a strong immigration practice; she prepares employment and family-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visas on behalf of corporate, institutional, and individual clients; advises clients with related issues such as employer sanctions, I-9 compliance, recordkeeping requirements, and anti-discrimination and assists foreign national employees and their families to obtain work authorization, social security numbers, driver’s licenses, and any other needs they may have relating to their relocation to the United States and to South Carolina. Tricia provides pro bono services to abused immigrant women and children, and participates in advocacy efforts to increase awareness of the needs of immigrants.
Employment
Tricia represents both corporate and individual clients in a wide range of employment litigation and mediation regarding claims of wage and hour violations, wrongful termination, retaliation, breach of contract, and discrimination or harassment; assists clients in preparation of responses to government agency investigations; works closely with corporate human resources personnel and company executives regarding the hiring, discipline, retention, and termination of employees, including the investigation of harassment and/or discrimination complaints; prepares and review employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, nonsolicitation/noncompetition agreements, severance agreements, employee handbooks, and other personnel policies; and prepares and present training seminars regarding immigration law, general employment law, diversity, and anti-harassment/anti-discrimination programs.
General litigation
Represents corporate, institutional, and individual clients in civil litigation matters, including products liability, breach of contract, personal injury, the federal Rails-to-Trails program, zoning, defamation, and First Amendment; and coordinates and monitors litigation of out-of-state products liability lawsuits for local corporate clients.
Professional Background
| 2000-Present | Wyche Burgess Freeman & Parham, P.A. |
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| 1999–2000 | Intern, South African Secretariat for Safety and Security, Pretoria, South Africa |
Educational Background
| 2000, J.D., M.A. | Duke University, with honors; Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law Notes Editor, 1999–2000; Public Interest Law Society, International Development Clinic, 2000 |
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| 1997, B.A. | Florida State University, summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa; Rhodes Scholarship State Finalist; Honors Thesis: “The Justification of Punishment in the Transition to Democracy: A Comparative Analysis of Argentina and South Africa”; FSU Flying High Circus; FSU rowing team |
Professional Activities and Memberships
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Greenville Society for Human Resource Management
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- South Carolina Bar Association; Labor and Employment Section
- Greenville County Bar Association
Bar and Court Admissions
- South Carolina Bar, 2000
Representative Community Activities
- Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Development Board of Regents, 2006 to present
- Board of the Center for Developmental Services, 2007 to present
- Board of Safe Harbor, Inc., 2002 to present; President, 2005; Vice President, 2004; Secretary, 2003
- Board of Greenville Sister Cities International, Inc., 2002 to present ; Secretary, 2007
- Member, Urban League of the Upstate Young Professionals, 2006 to present
- Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greenville Class 32, 2005–06
- United Way of Greenville County, 2001–06, Allocation Panels; Caring for Neighbors in Crisis Impact Council
- Greenville Literacy Association ESL Instructor, 2001
Publications
- Author, “The Friendly Settlement of Human Rights Abuses in the Americas,” Political Science 9 Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law, 519 (Spring 1999)
Awards and Honors
- Recipient of the Greenville County Guardian ad Litem Program Ethel Piper “Angel” Award in recognition of work on behalf of foreign national children in foster care, 2005
- Recognized as one of Greenville’s Best & Brightest Under 35 by the (Greenville Magazine), 2007